Hall of Fame
Lifted Northern Illinois program to national prominence during his 17-year tenure. Coached five NCAA Division I individual champions (Mike Burke on pommel horse in 1978 and 1979, Kirk Mango on still rings in 1979, Doug Kieso on pommel horse in 1983, and Kevin Ekberg in floor exercise in 1984), 10 student-athletes to 16 All-America slots, two Final Eight NCAA team qualifiers (finishing sixth in 1982 and eighth in 1983), and two members of United States national team (Breck Grigas in 1980 and Tom Kennedy in 1983 and 1986). Tutored seven NIU Hall of Famers?Burke (inducted in 1988), Kieso (1989), Kennedy (1991), Pete Botthof (1997), Grigas (1999), Mango (2001), and Ekberg (2005). Recipient of the College Gymnastics Association (formerly National Association of College Gymnastics Coaches) Honor Coach Award for 25-year lifetime achievement (1999). Named NACGC Mideast Coach of Year three times (1976-77, 1978-79, and 1981-82). Produced 70-42-2 won-lost-tied record during first 10 NIU campaigns?highlighted by 11-0-1 squad that featured three All-America picks and two NCAA champs, ranked as high as No. 7 nationally by NACGC, and beat No. 3-rated Indiana State with All-World Kurt Thomas in dual meet (1978-79). Coached men and women on national and international level at U. S. Olympic Sports Festival, Maccabiah Games in Israel, U. S. Gymnastics Federation competition in London, Bangkok, and Havana. Won two state boys gymnastics titles at prep level. Still rings All-America at SIU-Carbondale. Dayton (OH) White High product.
